Owner of capital’s neglected water park to face government action if site stays closed

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The capital’s Big Splash water park is a place of fond memories for many, but it's been left neglected and closed to the public for almost two years. But the gates at the Territory’s only water park could soon reopen, and its owners are being warned to expect the government to act if that doesn't happen.

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00:00Once a popular destination for Canberrans hoping to escape the heat, now seemingly left

00:08abandoned since early last year once busy pools are empty and slides unused.

00:14It's just an absolute disaster, it's disgusting.

00:17It's a bit sad to see because I know certainly when I was a kid I loved the place and enjoyed

00:21it so it's a bit disappointing the newer generation I guess don't get to experience that.

00:25The owners have now told the ACT Government they're planning to reopen in mid-November.

00:29We're taking the owners at their word.

00:32Mid-November is what they've advised us and there are further regulatory actions and powers

00:37that Access Canberra can undertake if that mid-November date is not reached.

00:43The lease requires the owners to maintain, repair and keep the site in a condition to the satisfaction

00:48of the Territory Planning Authority.

00:50Access Canberra already stepped in earlier this year after concerns around access and site

00:56safety were raised with the water park becoming a target for vandals.

01:00Publication of those people who had been trespassing I think encouraged more trespassing and potentially

01:07made the situation worse.

01:09The water park is due to reopen in a matter of weeks but there's still plenty of work to

01:14do.

01:15There's graffiti across much of the site and windows are boarded up.

01:18Even if it does open for the summer its iconic water slides are likely to be out of action.

01:23Just because of the state of the disrepair that we've seen them in and that probably

01:29reflects some structural issues and that then relates to safety.

01:34And without the slides some think big splash won't be the same.

01:38That's rubbish.

01:39No slides for kids.

01:40I don't know.

01:41Look, I mean it could be a good spot for training and stuff for swimmers and whatnot.

01:45That would be horrifying.

01:46Definitely.

01:47And I don't know if I'd go as frequently.

01:50Yeah.

01:51But it would still be pretty fun.

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